La V43, Manche-Océan à vélo

Route « La Vélo Francette - From Normandy to the Atlantic by bike »

Guiding you from the Channel to the Atlantic, the cycle route La Vélo Francette® allows you to savour sweet, gentle, traditional corners of western France as you cross the regions of Normandy, Pays de la Loire and Poitou-Charentes. Discover unsuspected gems along the way and fall for the charms of French country towns and villages as you get to know them by bike!

Intermediate from Caen to Thury-Harcourt and from Thury-Harcourt to Pont d'Ouilly and from Pont d'Ouilly to Flers

Expert from Pont d'Ouilly to Flers

La Vélo Francette’s stage starting at Normandy’s famed World War II D-Day landing beaches then leads you inland via Caen and Flers to the Domfrontais area. You cross hills known amusingly as La Suisse Normande (Norman Switzerland), following the meanders of the Orne, Noireau and La Varenne Valleys, and passing the iconic Roche d’Oëtre peak. The greenways and bucolic country roads you take often offer 360° views of typical Normandy countryside.

Family from Mayenne to Laval and from Laval to Château-Gontier and from Château-Gontier to Le Lion-d'Angers

Intermediate from Domfront to Mayenne and from Le Lion-d'Angers to Angers

This section of the cycle route La Vélo Francette takes you beside no less than four rivers: the Varenne, Mayenne, Oudon and Maine. This cascading series of rivers leads you, via various confluences, towards France’s most regal river, the Loire. Cyclists enjoy a panoply of northwest France’s riverbanks this way, along with happy hikers, riders, and people out angling and boating.

Intermediate from Angers to St-Rémy-la-Varenne and from St-Rémy-la-Varenne to Saumur

Discover the Loire Valley through the prism of La Vélo Francette, and through the clear natural light that illuminates the rich heritage of this exceptionally beautiful area. Reaching the village of Gennes, you can choose to head on to Saumur either via the Loire’s north bank or south bank route. There are glorious views and riverside pleasures to enjoy whichever of the two ways you choose.

Intermediate from Saumur to Montreuil-Bellay and from Montreuil-Bellay to Thouars and from Thouars to Airvault and from Airvault to Parthenay and from Parthenay to Champdeniers-St-Denis and from Champdeniers-St-Denis to Niort

At Saumur, the route heads south once again, following the Le Thouet à Vélo cycle route. The Thouet River serves as your guide up to the town of Parthenay. Along the way, discover another river-trading valley dotted with fortified settlements. The rich Thouet heritage includes old castles, churches, bridges and mills, as well as an underground fountain… plus the climate is more clement as you head south and the pace of life becomes gentler.
COMPLETED SOON...

Family from Niort to Coulon and from Coulon to Damvix and from Damvix to Marans and from Marans to La Rochelle

On this section, thread your way through a magnificent network of green and blue canals to reach the Atlantic. First come the wonderfully shaded canals that crisscross the stunning wetlands of the Marais Poitevin, nicknamed ‘la Venise Verte’ (‘Green Venice’) in France. Then comes ‘la Belle d’Aunis’, where you cycle beside broader, more exposed canals. This section to La Rochelle and the ocean provides a fittingly sparkling end to the véloroute.